Helen Keller Day is a significant day that commemorates the extraordinary journey of a woman who, despite her profound challenges, managed to make a lasting impact on the world. Her story is a testament to the power of resilience and determination.
“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.” Helen Keller
The theme for Deafblind Awareness Week 2024, ‘Embracing Diversity: Breaking Barriers Together,’ is not just a slogan but a potent call to action. It echoes the challenges faced by the Deafblind community and underscores the strength of unity and collective effort in overcoming these barriers. This week, a symbol of solidarity, runs from June 25 to July 1, serving as a poignant reminder of the community’s ongoing struggle and collective power.
This week is timely, reminding me about Helen Keller Day. I have been involved with a small group of Deafblind people for many years. Only one particular person was Elsa, who moved to New Zealand from the United Kingdom and lived in Auckland and Cambridge, Waipa. Elsa was born deaf and lost her eyesight from time to time. Her communication was sign language in tactile form, and she used reading tools such as a magnifying screen pad. Then technology came, and magnifying screens improved but were expensive for reader use. Here are the photos and the video from the Central Library, Hamilton.
I recently had an eye test and was referred to the Waikato Hospital for further tests. The diagnosis of my eye test was early, and I knew what to expect in my life and the future. I sit back and enjoy the moment as I go through daily life at work and home.
In the past, the Deafblind community grappled with significant challenges, relying on braille equipment, walking canes, and tactile sign language for communication. However, the advent of technology has ushered in a new era, offering fresh possibilities and enhanced accessibility for the millions of Deafblind people worldwide, instilling a sense of hope for the future.
Today, many ITs and inventors are improving technology to match and fit the lifestyle and workplace of Deafblind people through a friendly, accessible environment. However, the main problems are the cost of technology, the need for more funding, and low income.
Jobs are struggling for Deafblind graduates and qualified people while other Deafblind people stay home, struggling to have their freedom in the community. Yes, several Deafblind people are working in a different area of work, but it is not fully accessible, and they receive low incomes. The result of the difficulty and struggle is due to the lack of awareness and understanding of their (Deafblind) disability/disabilities. People without a disability have no experience or limit of empathy with the family, friends and staff in the community because people without a disability have no idea of how to live with the impaired disability themselves. Why not learn and try to understand from us?
Today, the world is changing faster than anyone expects, for example, global changes, future technology, financial and economic decline, job cuts, increasing poverty, crimes, health issues, etc. Mm, let you know we will have an increasing number of disabled people plus children’s everyday lives, and there is so much to tell you and expect you to learn about us, including Deafblind people.
Have you ever thought about yourself losing your eyesight and then losing your hearing loss or losing hearing loss then eyesight?? Let me tell you; it is a more significant challenge to learn late than early if you do not think about Deafblind people or any other people with disabilities.
Here is one of the famous quotes that the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities used when addressing the assemblies: “Nothing about Us Without Us” by James Charlton. I use this quote wherever I attend meetings, Government agencies’ meetings, Health Advisory groups, and other places.
Here is the link from the newspaper HuffPost, and feel free to read the article “Nothing about Us Without Us – Mantra for movement.”
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/nothing-about-us-without-us-mantra-for-a-movement_b_59aea450e4b0c50640cd61cf#:~:text=To%20quote%20James%20Charlton%20who,of%20Persons%20with%20Disabilities%20and
“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement; nothing can be done without hope.” Helen Keller’s quotes – Optimism
Here is the funding page I am making a book and a website for the everyone to learn about our Deaf History in New Zealand. Thankshttps://www.kickstarter.com/projects/nzdeafprojects/waikato-deaf-soceity-inc-1956-1999-dissolved-2004/
Life in Eureka 